Animated target device



July 26, 1966 P. P. ABRAHAM ETAL ANIMATED TARGET DEVICE Filed Aug. '7, 1965 INVENTORS P5/Z bra z a m figer @www2/gy,

II G

Pau omczn me United States Patent O Filed Aug. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 300,460 15 Claims. (Cl. 273-102.1)

This invention relates to amusement devices, and more particularly to an animated target device.

The invention comprehends an improved target device which is bot-h interesting and instructive, and yet which is relatively simple in design and operation.

Target apparatus may be generally classified into two broad categories, animated and nonanimated. Target apparatus in the first category usually includes one or more stationary target discs each having a bulls eye and a plurality of numbered, concentric rings. In using this type of target, a definite score of marksmanship is determined by counting the total number of points on the various areas of the target or targets which were struck by the projectiles or missiles iired or thrown at the target.

The other broad category of target apparatus includes all types of targets which are animated in some way whereby some type of action or movement of parts is actuated by an object striking a target disc.

In much of the animated target apparatus, complex electrical equipment is required to ring bells, turn on lights, or move objects when a target disc is hit.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an animated target device of relatively simple design and construction, wherein the animation is achieved in a purely mechanical manner without the use of electronic equipment.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision, in a target device of the type described, of a housing having a target disc therein and having on the outside thereof a movable object actuated mechanically by the movement of the target disc.

These and other objects of the invention will he apparent from an examination of the following description and drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a target device embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is atransverse, horizontal -section taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary rear elevation taken on line 3--3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a partial vertical section taken on line 4 4 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, but illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of the invention, and particularly to FIGURE l, it will be seen that the novel target apparatus includes a target housing, indicated generally at 10, which comprises a vertically disposed rear wall 12 having `top and bottom walls 14 and 16, respectively, and side walls 18 projecting forwardly therefrom and interconnected to form, with the rear wall, a box-like enclosure open at the front.

A target disc 20 is positioned within the housing in front of the rear wall in a manner hereinafter described. The target disc may be formed of any composition suitable for its intended use as a target for projectiles, such as lead or steel pellets of the type fired from air rifles or similar propelling devices.

As a safety feature the housing may be formed with a rear safety wall 22, disposed between the rear wall 12 and the target disc, and slopingdownwardly and rearwardly from a forward portion of top wall 14. The lfunction of inclined safety wall 22 is to deflect the pellets 3,262,704 Patented July 26, 1966 ice downwardly to prevent themfrom ricocheting out of the housing. Also, the housing may be provided with a partial front wall 24, extending a short distance up from the forward edge of bottom wall 16, and a shout shelf 26, extending horizontally inward from-the top edge of front wall 24. The front wall and shelf serve to cooperate with the inclined safety wall to prevent any harm from occurring to the operator of the device.

As best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, there is provided, adjacent housing 12, a vertical wall or flange 30 which, if desired, may he formed las an extension of housing rear wall 12. Flange 30, as best seen in FIGURES l and 4 may be provided with a preferably T-shaped slot 32 extending therethrough and including an elongated vertical portion 34 and a relatively short horizontal portion 36 located -at the top of the vertical portion. It will be understood that the vertical and horizontal portions of the slot need not be connected, but may be separated from each other.

The animated portion of the novel target device includes a movable object, indicated generally at 40, which comprises a figure 42 of any desired type, such as an animal or a person. In order to illustrate one example of the invention the figure 42 in the drawing has been shown as a human figure, and the over-all arrangement has been adopted to simulate ian amusement device, common to amusement parks and Carnivals, known as the DIP. In the DIP a living person is seated upon a shelf -or ledge mounted over a tank of water in a cage. The shelf is adapted to collapse, throwing the person into `the tank of water, when the target disc is struck by a thrown object such as a baseball.

As best seen in FIGURE 4, figure 42 is positioned adjacent the front side of flange 30 and is connected to a retaining member 44, positioned adjacent the rear side of flange 30, by lone or more connecting pins or bars 46 which extend horizontally through vertical portion 34 of slot 32. Retaining member 44 includes a retaining block 48 which may be formed integrally with or permanently attached to ligure 42.

Thus, it will be seen that figure 42 and retaining block 48 are free to move or ride vertically up or down, las an integral unit, in the vertical portion of slot 32.

Turning now to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawing, it will be seen that mounted on the rear of the housing 10 is a generally horizontally disposed actuating lever 60. The lever is preferably in the form of a crank and has a generally vertically extending central portion or shaft 62 pivotally mounted on the housing rear wall by a pair of mounting brackets 64 which permit the lever to rotate in a horizontal plane. Formed integrally with and extending laterally outward from opposite ends of shaft 62 are a pair of first and second arms 66 and 68, respectively.

First arm 66 is provided with an inturned end portion 70 which is disposed to extend through an opening 72 in rear wall 12 of the housing, and which may be removably attached, in any desired manner, to the rear of target disc 20.

Second arm 68 is also provided with an end portion 74 which is adapted to engage retaining block 48, as shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawing. It will be noted that end portion 74 of the lever is disposed in vertical alignment with the horizontal portion of slot 32, so that as lever end portion 74 moves forwardly, in a manner hereinafter described, away from or out of engagement with the retaining block, it can pass into the slot.

In the preferred form of the invention, retaining block 48 is a magnetized block, and actuating lever 60 is a steel rod, so that the block is maintained in engagement with lever by magnetic attraction. Thus, when the end portion of the lever is urged to move forwardly into the slot, as the retaining block is held in place behind flange 30, the lever and block become disengaged, and the block and figure are free to fall by force of gravity to the 'bottom of the slot 32.

If the block 48 is not magnetized the arrangement can be modified so that the end portion 74 of the lever is disposed under the fblock, with the block merely balanced on the lever end free from positive connection to the lever.

Now referring to FIGURE 5 of the drawing it will be seen that another form of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment of the invention, a retaining block 48a is provided with a recess or notch 48h which is adapted to receive end portion 74 of the actuating lever. In this arrangement, as the lever moves forward into the slot it moves out of block slot 48b and thus out of engagement with the block, so that the block is free to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of the slot in the same manner as that of the oth-er embodiment.

In operation, it will be understood that, when a projectile or missile strikes target disc Z, actuating lever 60 is rotated in a horizontal plane about its vertical Vaxis in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 2, until end portion 74 of the actuating lever moves out of engagement with the retaining block and into the upper portion of iiange slot 32. As the lever moves out of engagement with the retaining block, the block and iigure 42 are then free to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of ange slot 32.

If desired the front of flange Iand the figure may be provided with a front wall or cover, indicated generally at 50, which may be shaped as to simulate a cage and water tank.

The movable object may be replaced in its uppermost position by hand, or if desired, by means of a pull string arrangement, not shown, which will permit the operator to reset the o-bject from a distance.

We claim:

1. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprismg:

(a) a target housing structure including: a vertically disposed rear wall having a plurality of interconnected side walls projecting forwardly therefrom to deiine therewith a box-like enclosure open at the front;

(b) said rear Wall having a portion projecting laterally outward beyond said enclosure and having a generally T-shaped slot with horizontal and vertical portions;

(c) a vertically movable object positioned adjacent the front side of said rear wall portion and adjacent said housing;

(d) a vertically movable magnetized retaining blocl; positioned adjacent the rear side of said rear wall portion;

(e) a connecting pin disposed to extend through the vertical portion of said slot and having its opposite ends iixedly attached to said object and block, respectively;

(f) a Vtarget disc positioned within said housing in front of said rear Wall; and

(g) an actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the rear side of said rear wall for -rotational movement about a vertical axis;

(h) said lever having at one end thereof a iirst segment disposed to extend through an opening in said rear wall and being attached to said target disc, so that when the impact of a projectile causes the target disc to move rearwardly toward said rear wall, said lever is urged to rotate in a horizontal plane about its axis;

(i) said lever having at the other end thereof a second segment detachab'ly connected by magnetic attraction to said block and disposed to move away from said block into the horizontal portion of said slot as 4 said lever is rotated -by thetarget disc, so that the magnetic Ia-ttraction will be broken to permit the block, connecting pin, `and object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of said slot. 2. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprismg:

(a) a target housing structure including: a vertically disposed rear wall having a plurality of interconnected side walls projecting forwardly therefrom to define therewith a box-like enclosure open at the front;

(b) said rear wall having Ia portion projecting laterally outward -beyond said enclosure and having a generally T-shaped slot with horizontal and vertical portions;

(c) a vertically movable object positioned adjacent the front side of said rear wall portion and adjacent ysaid housing;

(d) a vertically movable retaining block positioned adjacent the rear side of said rear wall portion; (e) a connecting pin dispo-sed to extend through the vertical portion of said slot and having its opposite ends iixedly attached to said object and block, re-

spectively;`

(f) a target disc positioned within said housing in front of said rear wall; and

(g) yan actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the rear side of said rear wall for rotational movement about a vertical axis;

(h) said lever having at one en'd thereof a iirst segment disposed to extend through an opening in said rear wall and being attached to said target disc, so that when the impact of a projectile causes the target disc to move rearwardly toward said rear wall, said lever is urged to rotate in a horizontal plane about its axis;

(i) said lever having at the other end thereof a second segment detachably connected to said block and disposed to move away from said block into the horizontal portion of said slot as said lever is rotated by the target disc to permit the block, connecting pin, and object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of said slot.

3. A mechanical, .animated target apparatus comprising:

(a) a target housing including: a vertically disposed rear wall having a plurality of interconnected `side walls projecting forwardly therefrom to define therewith a box-like structure open at the front;

(b) said housing having a flange projecting laterally outward therefrom and having a generally T-shaped slot with horizontal and vertical portions;

(c) a vertically movable object positioned adjacent the front side of said flange adjacent said housing;

(d) a vertically movable magnetized retaining block positioned adjacent the rear side of said flange;

(e) a connecting pin disposed to extend through the vertical portion of said slot and having its opposite ends xedly attached to said object and block, respectively;

(f) a target disc positioned within said housing lin front of said rear wall; and

(g) an actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the rear'side of said rear wall for rotational movement about a vertical axis;

(h) said lever having at one end thereof .a first segment disposed to extend through an opening in said rear wall and being attached to said target disc, so that when .the impact of a projectile causes the target disc to move rearwardly toward said rear wall, said lever is urged to rotate in a horizontal plane about its axis;

(i) said lever having at the other end thereof a second segment detachably connected by magnetic attraction to said block and disposed to move ,away vfrom said block into the horizontal portion of said slot ,as said lever is rotated by the target disc, so that the magnetic attraction will be broken to permit the block, connecting pin, and object to fall by force -a gravity to the bottom of said slot. A

4. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprising:

(a) a target housing including: a vertically disposed rear wall having a plurality of interconnected side walls projecting forwardly therefrom to define therewith a box-like structure open at the front;

(b) said housing having a flange Iprojecting laterally outward therefrom and having .a generally vertically disposed slot therein;

(c) a vertically movable object positioned adjacent the front side of said flange adjacent said housing;

(d) a vertically movable magnetized retaining block positioned adjacent the rear side of said ange;

(e) a connecting pin disposed to extend through said slot and having its opposite ends iixedly attached to said object and block, respectively;

(f) la ltarget disc positioned within said housing in front of said rear wall; and

(g) an actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the rear side of said rear wall;

(h) said lever having at one end thereof la rst segment disposed to extend through an opening in said rear wall and being attached to said target disc, so that when the impact of a projectile causes the target disc to move rearwardly toward said rear Wall, said lever is urged to rotate;

(i) said lever having at the other end thereof a second segment detachably connected by magnetic attraction to said lblock and disposed to move away from said block as said lever is rotated by the target disc, so that the magnetic attraction will be broken to permit the block, connecting pin, and object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of said slot.

5. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprising:

(a) a target housing including: a vertically disposed rear wall having a plurality of interconnected side walls projecting forwardly therefrom to define therewith a box-like structure open at the front;

(b) said housing having a flange projecting laterally outward therefrom and having 'a generally vertically disposed slot therein;

(c) a vertically movable object positioned adjacent the front side of said flange adjacent said housing;

(d) a vertically movable retaining block positioned adjaent the rear side of said flange;

(e) a connecting pin d'mposed to extend through the said slot and having its opposite ends xedly attached to said object and block, respectively;

(f) a target disc positioned within said housing in front of said rear Wall; and

g) an actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the rear side of said rear wall;

(h) said lever having at one end thereof a irst segment disposed to extend through an opening in said rear wall and being attached to said target disc, so that when the impact of a projectile causes the target disc to move rearwardly toward said rear wall, said lever is urged to rotate;

(i) said lever having at the other end thereof a second segment detachably engageable with said block and disposed to move away from said block as said lever is rotated by the target disc to disengage said second segment and said block and thereby permit the block, connecting pin, and object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of said slot.

6. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprising:

(a) a target housing including: a vertically disposed rear wall having a plurality of interconnected side walls projecting forwardly therefrom to define therewith a box-like enclosure open at the front;

.(b) said housing having a flange projecting laterally outward beyond said enclosure and having a generally vertically disposed slot therein;

(c) a vertically movable object positioned adjacent the front side of said flange adjacent said housing;

(d) 'a vertically movable retaining .block positioned adjacent the rear side of said flange;

(e) a connecting pin disposed to extend through said slot and having its opposite ends Iixedly attached to said object and block, respectively;

(f) a target disc `positioned within said housing in front of said rear wall; and

(g) lan actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said housing;

(h) said lever having at one end thereof a first segment disposed to extend through yan opening in said housing and being attached to said target disc, so that when the impact of a projectile causes the target disc to move rearwardly, said lever is urged to rotate;

(i) said lever having at the other end thereof a second segment detachably engageable with said block and disposed to move away from said block out of engagement with said block as said lever is rotated by the target disc to permit the block, connecting pin, and object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of said slot.

7. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprising:

(a) a target housing including a box-like enclosure open at the front;

(b) said housing having a flange projecting laterally outward therefrom and having a generally vertically disposed slot therein;

(c) a vertically movable object positioned adjacent the front side of said flange adjacent said housing;

(d) a vertically movable magnetized retaining block positioned adjacent the vrear side of said ange;

(e) a connecting pin disposed to extend through said slot and having its opposite ends iixedly attached to said object and block, respectively;

(f) a target disc positioned within said housing; and

(g) an actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said housing;

(h) said lever having at one end thereof a rst segment disposed to extend through an opening in said housing land being attached to said target disc, so that when the impact of a projectile causes the target disc to move rearwardly said lever is urged to rotate;

(i) said lever having at the other end thereof a second segment detachably connected by magnetic attraction to said block and disposed to move away from said block as said lever is rotated by the target disc, so that the magnetic attraction will be broken to permit the block, connecting pin, and object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of said slot.

8. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprising:

(a) a target housing open at the front;

(b) said housing having a ange projecting outward therefrom and having a generally vertically disposed slot therein;

(c) a vertically movable object positioned adjacent one side of said flange;

(d) a vertically movable retaining block .positioned adjacent the other side of said ange;

(e) a connecting pin disposed to extend through said slot and having its opposite ends xedly attached to said object and block, respectively;

(f) a target disc positioned within said housing; and

(g) an actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the housing;

(h) said lever having one end disposed to extend through an opening in said housing and being ating:

tached to said target disc, so that when the impact of a projectile causes the target disc to move rearwardly said lever is urged to rotate;

(i) said lever having its other end detachably engageable with said block and disposed to move out of engagement with said block as said lever is rotated by the target disc to permit the block, connecting pin, and object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of said slot.

9. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing including a box-like enclosure structure open at the front;

(b) said housing including a vertical Wall projecting from said structure and having a vertically disposed slot extending therethrough;

(-c) al movable object positioned adjacent said Wall and including:

(i) a figure positioned on one side of said Wall adjacent said slot;

(ii) a retaining block positioned on the other side of said Wall adjacent said slot in alignment with said figure; and

(iii) means extending through said slot interconnecting said ligure and block;

(d) a target disc positioned within said housing enclosure structure; and

(e) a laterally disposed actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said housing;

(f) saidlever having one end xedly secured to said target disc;

(g) said lever having its other end removably engageable with said retaining block, so that upon the rotation of the lever, as a result of the disc being struck, said other end of the lever is free to move out of engagement with said block to permit the movable object to fall by force-of gravity to the bottom of the slot.

10. A mechanical, animated target apparatus compris- (a) a housing including a box-like enclosure structure open at the front;

l (b) said housing including a vertical wall projecting from said structure and having a vertically disposed slot extending therethrough; 4

(c) a movable object positioned adjacent said wall and including:

(i) a ligure positioned on one side of said wall adjacent said slot;

(ii) a retaining block positioned on the other side of said wall adjacent said slot in alignment with said figure; and Y (iii) means extending through said slot intercon-v necting said ligure and block; t

(d) a target disc positioned Within said housing enclosure structure; and

(e) an actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said housing;

(f) said lever having one end xedly secured to said target disc;

(g) said lever having its other end removably engageable with said retaining block, so that upon the rotation of the lever, as a result of the disc being struck, said other end of the lever is free to move out of engagement With said block to permit the movable object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of the slot.

11. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing including a box-like enclosure structure open at the front; I

(b) said housing including a vertical wall having a vertically disposed slot extending therethrough;

(c) a movable object positioned adjacent said wall and including: I 7

(i) a ligure positioned on one side of said Wall adjacent said slot;

(ii) a retaining block positioned on the other side of said Wall adjacent said slot in alignment with said figure; and

(iii) means extending through said slot interconnecting said ligure and block;

(d) a target disc positioned Within said housing enclosure structure; and

(e) an actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its'ends on said housing;

(f) said lever having one end fixedly secured to said target disc;

(g) said lever having its other end removably engageable with said retaining block, so that upon the rotation of the lever, as a result of the disc being struck, said other end of the lever is free to move out of engagement with said block to permit the movable object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of the slot.

12. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprislng:

(a) a housing including a box-like enclosure structure open at the front;

(b) said housing including a vertical wall having a vertically disposed slot extending therethrough;

(c). a movable object positioned adjacent said wall for vertical movement in said slot and including a retaining block positioned on one side of said wall adjacent said slot;

(d) a target disc positioned within `said housing enclosure structure; and

(e) a laterally disposed actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said housing;

() said lever having one end xedly secured to said target disc;

(g) said lever having its other end removably engageable with said retaining block, so that upon the rotation of the lever, as a result of the disc ybeing struck, said other end of the lever is free to move out of engagement with said block to permit the movable object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of the slot.

13. A mechanical, animated target apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing including a box-like enclosure structure open at the front;

(b) said housing including a vertical Wall having a vertically disposed slot extending therethrough;

' (c) a movable object positioned adjacent said Wall for vertical movement 'between upper and lower positions; and including (i) a ligure positioned on one side of said Wall; (ii) a retaining element positioned on the other side of said Wall; and (iii) means extending through said slot and interconnecting said gure and element;

(d) a target disc positioned within said housing enclosure structure; and

(e) an actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said housing;

(f) said lever having one end xedly secured to said target disc;

(g) said lever having its other end removably engageable with said retaining element, so that upon the rotation of the lever, as a result of the disc being struck, said other en'd of the lever is free to move out of engagement with said element to permit the movable object to fall by force of gravity to its lower position.

14. A mechanical, animated target apparatus compris- (a) a housing including a box-like enclosure structure open at the front;

(b) said housing including a vertical wall projecting from said structure and having a vertically disposed slot extending therethrough;

(c) a movable object positioned adjacent said Wall for vertical movement in said slot;

(d) a target disc positioned within said housing enclosure structure; and

(e) a laterally disposed actuating lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said housing;

(f) said lever having one end xedly secured to said target disc;

(g) said lever having its other end removably engageable with said movable object, so that upon the rotation of the lever, as a result of the disc being struck, said other end of the lever is free to move out of engagement with said movable object to permit the movable object to fall by force of gravity to the bottom of the slot.

15. A mechanical, animated target apparatus, comprising:

(a) a housing including a box-like structure open at the front;

(b) said housing including a vertical wall projecting from said structure and having a vertically disposed slot extending therethrough;

(c) a movable element positioned in front of said wall adjacent said slot;

(d) a retaining element positioned behind said wall adjacent said slot;

(e) a connecting element extending through said slot and interconnecting said movable and retaining elements;

(f) a target disc positioned within said box-like structure;

g) an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the rear of said housing;

(h) said lever having one portion extending through an opening in the rear of said box-like structure and secured to said target disc;

(i) said lever having another portion removably engageable with Said retaining element, so that upon rotation of said lever, as a result of the disc being struck, said other .portion of the lever is moved out of engagement with said retaining element to permit said movable element to .fall by force of gravity to its lowermost position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,413,770 4/1922 Palaith 273-1021 2,490,432 12/1949 Guarino 273-1021 2,992,003 7/1961 Smolen et al 27E-102.1

DELBERT B. LOWE, Prima/'y Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assslant Examiner. 

15. A MECHANICAL, ANIMATED TARGET APPARATUS, COMPRISING: (A) A HOUSING INCLUDING A BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE OPEN AT THE FRONT; (B) SAID HOUSING INCLUDING A VERTICAL WALL PROJECTING FROM SAID STRUCTURE AND HAVING A VERTICALLY DISPOSED SLOT EXTENDING THERETHROUGH; (C) A MOVABLE ELEMENT POSITIONED IN FRONT OF SAID WALL ADJACENT SAID SLOT; (D) A RETAINING ELEMENT POSITIONED BEHIND SAID WALL ADJACENT SAID SLOT; (E) A CONNECTING ELEMENT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT AND INTERCONNECTING SAID MOVABLE AND RETAINING ELEMENTS; (F) A TARGET DISC POSITIONED WITHIN SAID BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE; (G) AN ACTUATING LEVER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE REAR OF SAID HOUSING; (H) SAID LEVER HAVING ONE PORTION EXTENDING THROUGH AND OPENING IN THE REAR OF SAID BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE AND SECURED TO SAID TARGET DISC; (I) SAID LEVER HAVING ANOTHER PORTION REMOVABLY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID RETAINING ELEMENT, SO THAT UPON ROTATION OF SAID LEVER, AS A RESULT OF THE DISC BEING STRUCK, SAID OTHER PORTION OF THE LEVER IS MOVED OUT OR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RETAINING ELEMENT TO PERMIT SAID MOVABLE ELEMENT TO FALL BY FORCE OF GRAVITY TO ITS LOWERMOST POSITION. 